Summary: Los Angeles synth-pop duo and married couple Joy Bishop and Jeffrey Downer head this band. Joy’s voice reminds me of Kristin Hersh from Belly, although Joy Downer’s sound is not quite as intense. This album tends towards slow/mid-tempo songs with a satisfyingly melancholy feel. Synth and bass feature prominently with lots of additional texture and layering going on. This will get your head bobbing but won’t necessarily get you out of your seat. Good night-time driving music as you wind your way through the outskirts of Twin Peaks (but don’t stop in town – not even for pie and coffee). Lyrics explore confusion, tension, pursuit, reluctant attraction, confusion and collision in relationships but stays away from full on desperation, which fits well with the music’s overall vibe.

FCC CLEAN (as an FYI, track 3 has “Goddamnit” numerous times in it)

Favorite Tracks: 1, 2

1. *** Stranger Places – jangly/crunchy guitar pop song with ample bass, claps, ethereal organ and echoey female vocals; medium tempo; super catchy; occasional back-up vocals.
2. ** Caught in Your Spell – synth starts off leading into mid-tempo drum, guitar and bass; persistent and somewhat driving rhythm and more high ethereal vocals; tasty trumpet comes in a little over halfway through easing up the complexity and intensity; another catchy tune.
3. Goddamnit – Title word occurs numerous times in this song – probably not technically FCCs, but consider when playing; melancholy minimalist intro with female vocals, claps and synth; stays pretty minimal with a bit of guitar and bass during the chorus; trumpet enters at about halfway through.
4. Cheetahs – ethereal vocals start off slow tempo; intensity builds as song moves to mid-ish tempo with guitar, bass, synth, drums (etc.) added.
5. You and I Collide – synth and vocals start off, slow and dreamy; instruments layer in throughout song; kicks up a notch about a minute in, staying at a mid-tempo beat marching on to the end, which fades out quickly.